14 September 2004
Centenary Sale a hit for Welsh Blacks
The Welsh Black Cattle Society's Centenary Show & Sale season swung into action at Abergavenny Market on Monday 13 September, with good trade and increased averages.

The Society's 4 th Annual Autumn Show and Sale also had added incentives for exhibitors.

“We selected Abergavenny as one of three venues for our special autumn sales as part of the Society's centenary celebrations,” said Welsh Black Cattle Society chief executive, Andrew James.

“To mark the Society's 100 th anniversary there were extra cash prizes for exhibitors took part on the pre-sale show.”

Most of the cattle sold well with averages slightly up on the 2003 trade, and a total of 43 females and one bull sold by auctioneers J Straker, Chadwick and Sons.

“What is also interesting to see is the demand for cattle who are involved in the Society's herd health scheme and which are being sold certified free of Johnes Disease,” said Mr James.

“New Society members are investing in certified and tested cattle, and cattle sold at the sale went not just to farms across Wales but also to farms as far as Cornwall and Wiltshire.”

The Female Championship went to the home-bred two and a half year-old in-calf heifer, Dolithon Rose 6 th. from Mr Frederick James Layton of Llanddewi, Llandrindod Wells. She was also the highest priced animal of the day selling for 1,800gns to Mr & Mrs Lewis, a young farming couple from Llangadog who are currently replacing their commercial cross-bred beef cattle with pedigree Welsh Black Cattle.

The Reserve title went to the home-bred in calf heifer - Lucton Ceinwen 6 th - from Mr & Mrs Chris Thorpe of Lucton, Leominster, was sold to Gareth James of Tufton, Clarbeston Road, Haverfordwest for 1,240gns.

Mr James also bought the third and fourth placed heifers Mendip Bridget 2nd and Mendip Millie 3rd from John and Jane O'Mery of Somerset at 1,380gns and 1,410gns respectively. Both heifers were sired by Seisiog Rhys 43rd and are in calf to Graig Goch Berwyn 40th.

But, Mr James wasn't just buying cattle for himself; Lucton Ceinwen and the Champion Maiden Heifer – Caerynwch Mair 63 rd – were bought on behalf of young WBCS member Huw Cotton of Ciliau Ganol Farm, Goodwick, Fishguard. Mr Cotton who has just taken over the farm from his parents was unable to attend the sale because he has recently become a father.

The three and a half year-old Rhiwlas Tina 21 st was the highest priced cow with a calf at heel, selling from 1,550gns. Bred by Robin Price of Rhiwlas, Bala, she was sold by Gareth and Diane James to the Cornwall farming partnership of David and Judi Lowry and Christine Parker, who went on to buy a total of five animals at the sale.

Formed in 2002 the partnership now has a 90 strong Welsh Black herd which graze the semi improved pastures surrounding the famous Eden Project near St Austell as part of an English Nature scheme which encourages the grazing of native cattle in important habitats.

Following close on the heels of Rhiwlas Tina 21 st was the home-bred Neuadd Gweno at 1,400gns from Mr D William Jenkins, Taliesin, Machynlleth and sold to new Welsh Black Organic Cattle members, Dr & Mrs Gamal Hamza & Son of Llanllwni, Llanybydder.
The afore mentioned Caerynwch Mair 63 rd who scooped the Champion Maiden Heifer and Overall Champion titles in the pre sale show was bred Mr T Williams and forwarded by Emily Evans of Oswestry.

The Reserve honours in the Maiden Heifer section went to Neuadd Ethel 207th – a descendent of one of the most influential bloodlines to improve the breed she was bought from Mr D William Jenkins by Society President Dai Jones of Llanilar for 1,650gns.
Placed second to Neuadd Ethel was Gwarcwm Eirliw 2 nd exhibited by Huw Jones of Bow Street, Aberystwyth and bought for 1,200gns by Wyn and Amanda Evans. The Evans' bought their first two heifers at the Abergavenny Sale, the second being Gwarcwm Eirliw - again forwarded by Huw Jones - for 780gns.

The only bull to sell was the 17 month-old Tristar Dafydd from Colin Thompsett of Monmouthshire to Mr D.R.L.Williams of Tally, Llandeilo for 460gns.

back to 2004 news

back to main news